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War's End 



A Play in One Act 



"By 
Henry A. Coit 



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CLYDE BROWNE COMPANY 

HIGHLAND PARK I I LOS ANGELES 
19 17 



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Copyright 1917 
By HENRY A. COIT 

Alt rig/its reiewed 
■©CI.D 48605 

DEC 24 1917 



WAR'S END 



CHARACTERS 

Christian the First — King of Usurpia. 

Mastercraft — the Mailed Chancellor. 

Hulda — a peasant woman of dawning intellect. 

Dr. Marx — physician to the King. 

Otto — Secretary to the King. 

Carl — an old soldier and husband to Hulda. 

PLACE 

The action takes place at the hunting lodge of 
King Christian in the heart of the Dark Forest — 
the far interior of Usurpia — a country at war 
with the world. 

TIME 

Any time in the dim future. 

DESCRIPTIONS OF PERSONS OF PLAY 

King Christian the First is a man between fifty 
and sixty years of age. He is tall and of military 
bearing. Black hair and moustache turning gray. 
He is dressed in "fatigue" uniform and riding 
boots. At times he speaks with firmness and de- 
cision — at others with a manner approaching dif- 
fidence — he is a man harrassed by uncertainty 
which shows in his actions and especially in his 
soliloquies. At times he is the man in doubt and 
fear and on occasion, although perhaps with an 
eifort, the King. 

Mastercraft is well along in years but carries 
his age well — is probably past sixty-five or even 



seventy. He is tall and well proportioned — 
quick, muscular and active. He has iron gray 
hair in abundance and an iron gray mustache. 
He speaks in a tone of stern authority. Is 
dressed in conventional suit of traveling clothes. 

Hulda is a woman who would be handsome 
were it not for the marks of suffering and priva- 
tion. She is between thirty-five and forty years 
of age with brown hair turning gray. She is of 
large frame, but spare. Her clothing is old and 
worn, showing the signs of travel — it is of coarse 
homespun material. She speaks with indiffer- 
ence and in a rather dazed fashion when she first 
appears, but this attitude both of speech and ac- 
tion becomes warm and vehement as action pro- 
ceeds. In the closing scene she lapses into the 
tone and attitude of the "mother," apparently 
forgetful of all except the babe. 

Carl is an old soldier. Grizzled in the service, 
being a campaigner. He is about fifty years of 
age with gray hair and wears an army uniform 
very badly worn and with several patches. He 
carries or wears a campaign hat. His height 
is not above five feet eight or nine inches and 
he inclines to be portly as is evidenced by his 
clothes alone, which hang loosely upon him, as 
he is now thin and emaciated from want ap- 
proaching starvation. He still maintains, how- 
ever, a military carriage. He wears an old army 
cloak over his shoulders which swings open in 
front revealing his tattered uniform. His left 
sleeve is empty. 

Dr. Marx is the conventional type of profes- 
sional man of fifty with black hair and beard 
square cut. He wears glasses and is dressed in 
dark clothes. 

Otto is a slight, tall man of forty-five with dark 
hair, mustache and beard. He is alert, covertly 
jealous of the Chancellor though he treats him 
with deference. To the King he is profoundly 
respectful in an affeiitlonate and solicitous 
manner. 



SCExNE I. 

(The interior of the King's hunting lodge. A 
large room finished in the rough with logs but 
elaborately furnished and equipped with com- 
forts and conveniences. The floor coverings are 
of the skins of wild animals while the walls are 
decorated with stuffed and mounted animal 
heads, such as the heads of deer, elk, bison, bear, 
boars, etc. A huge fireplace of stone is on left 
about the middle of room over which is a mantel 
with handsome chiming clock and ornaments in 
bronze representing scenes of the chase. Here 
and there, both hanging on the walls and in gun 
rack and standing in convenient corners are var- 
ious guns, small arms, army swords, etc. A large 
couch, covered with a bear skin, is drawn up 
near the fire so that it faces front of stage. On 
the other side is a large oaken chair across which 
is thrown another wild animal gkin. Between 
this chair and the front of stage is an oak writ- 
ing table littered with papers, maps, books, writ- 
ing material, pens, ink stand, etc. An art iron 
reading lamp of large proportions is standing on 
the table burning. 

At back of stage are a pair of heavy curtains 
which screen double French windows presumably 
leading onto a porch. There are two doors at 
right and left forward respectively — one leading 
to another part of lodge and one a private en- 
trance. 

The room is further furnished with several 
oak chairs all of the massive type. A fire burns 
in the fireplace. 

Discovered as curtain ascends the King seated 



in large chair in front of fire gazing reflectively 
into it. It is night. The light from the fire and 
reading lamp illumine his face.' 

KING. {Soliloquizing) The silence and un- 
certainly weigh heavily! {sighs deeply and moves 
uneasily) More terrible is uncertainty than war's 
alarm! {shakes himself with impatient gesture). 
No news — and it grows late. ( The clock on the 
mantel chimes the hour of eleven) Since the hour 
of seven has the doctor been ministering to the 
Queen while I, a King, am apparently forgot — 
even Otto has not yet returned, {pause) Some- 
times I fairly curse old Mastercraft — and yet I 
could not do without him. Otto was to meet 
him at the secret place and come at once to me. 
{pause — irritated and impatiently) This wait- 
ing, waiting, waiting, tormented by lack of news 
while life and death play hide and seek at my 
very elbow, drives me to distraction. {Rises and 
paces up and down the length of the room, paus- 
ing in front of fire as sleigh hells are heard out- 
side. ) At last ! I feel his presence — and now that 
he has come I fear to meet him — such influence 
has he upon my person, {pause as sleigh hells are 
again heard. The King draws himself up to his 
full height, assuming a military attitude). Cour- 
age! Remember that you are a King! {Crosses 
and exits door ?'ight.) 



{As soon as the door closes behind the KING, 
the curtains at windows rear are cautiously drawn 
aside and CARL steps stealthily from behind 
them and advances softly, listening, to the fire 
where he pauses, stretching his one hand out to 
its warmth.) 

CARL. (Soliloquizing) How cold it is! (looks 
at his hand) When I look at this one member, 
now bound to do a double duty, I can but think 
of its lost mate left rotting on the field at Mar- 
blegate, and it aids to keep me firm in my set 
purpose. (He looks toward door where KING 
retired.) Little did you know as you stepped out, 
surrounded by Imperial gloom, how nearly you 
had shaken hands with Death. (Draws from be- 
neath his army cloak a polished hayonette to 
which he speaks.) Ah, trusty friend! who served 
me well in puncturing the vitals of the so-called 
enemy — though God knows they were strangers 
and human just like me — you have been sharp- 
ened and polished for a worthy cause at last and 
you will not fail when driven at the guts of that 
cursed man who calls himself a King and close 
allied with God. Those sons of mine left buried 
in an unknown trench with quicklime for a fun- 
eral shroud, the wife who brought them forth 
and now is wandering God knows where, or dead 
— aye! and the sons, the ravished daughters and 
7 



the tortured mothers of those countless fools, 
blinded by this hollow dream of allegiance to 
Imperial cause regardless of humanity — who suf- 
ferred and died in order that his race might be per- 
petuated and his power kept intact! You will be 
avenged since old Carl at last has wakened from 
his sleep. {Stops abruptly to listen,) I hear some- 
one astir! {Turns to curtains.) The curtains will 
conceal me till the proper time, and be conven- 
ient. {JVithdraws hastily behind curtains rear.) 

{The door right opens and the KING, fol- 
lowed by the CHANCELLOR and OTTO, 
enter. They all advance to the fire, the CHAN- 
CELLOR and OTTO removing heavy fur 
coats and gloves.) 

MASTERCRAFT. (to KING) What news, your 
Majesty! Have we an heir? 

KING. No news as yet, though since seven 
o'clock the doctor has been engaged with the 
Queen. I pray to God that all is well, (hesi- 
tates) What if it should be brought forth dead? 

MASTERCRAFT. No fear of that! The Queen, 
her Majesty, has been in excellent health in spite 
of all the cares of State, and though undoubtedly 
anxiety assailed her, there could be nothing else 
to disturb her here — no news to worry from the 
front — no roar of distant cannon. It is most con- 
ducive to a favorable accouchment. 

8 



OTTO. Poor lady! 

KING. Go, Otto, enquire you of news of the 
Queen. 

OTTO. I go, your Majesty! (Bows and exits 
door left,) 

KING. And now, my Chancellor, what is the 
news you bring? Have we made gains — 

MASTERCRAFT. {Interrupting) Not now, your 
Majesty, I beg of you ! You seem unstrung — 
the news will keep. 

KING. {Impatiently) Out with it man — I am 
consumed with impatience. The truth — and at 
once — I can stand this vague uncertainty no 
longer. 

MASTERCRAFT. 'Tis Well, your Majesty! To 
be sure we have not advanced as, perhaps, you 
might have wished, — in fact we have lost some 
ground, but wholly unimportant and thereby 
have strengthened our position strategically. The 
press, of course, under our wise censorship, con- 
tinues favorable to our ends, while the people be- 
lieve that each engagement is a victory. 

KING. {Sadly) I wish this cursed war was 
done. The press — the people! What of their 
comment ! — All coached and tutored — the horrid 
facts concealed — and you boast of this dissem- 
bling — this deceit — as a necessary and praise- 
worthy function of diplomacy! You drove me 
9 



on and on, further and further from my better 
instincts, and held me to the vision of a world 
Empire as the only fit inheritance for the sons of 
the King of Usurpia — and now those sons, in 
answer to the public clamor and your advice and 
urgency, lie cold and unavailing. Suppose now 
there should be no heir — not even a girl — what 
then? 

MASTERCRAET. {persuasively) Your Majesty! 
Do not reproach me. All these matters have been 
gone fully into between us two and now it is too 
late to turn. All those nicities of State of which 
you would complain were necessary to the fulfill- 
ment of our enterprise. As to an heir — I fear 
not in that regard. It will be well. Permit me 
to remind your Majesty, that I, the mailed Chan- 
cellor, have never failed. 

OTTO. {Entering door left) The doctor Marx 
waits upon you, sire! {OTTO stands aside as 
the man of science enters.) 

DOCTOR, {bowing) Your Majesty! it is a son 
and he lives! 

KING, {fervently) Thank God! 

DOCTOR. This is a grave moment, your Majes- 
ty, and, {bowing in direction of MASTER- 
CRAFT) with your permission, I will speak 
quite frankly. 

KING, {anxiously) What now, man? Speak 

10 



out ! You say he lives — what then ? 

DOCTOR. He lives — yes! but her Majesty, the 
Queen, may lose her life — and even though she 
recover she cannot nurse the babe and without 
its natural nourishment it cannot live. 

KING. What then? 

DOCTOR. A substitute must be found at once — 
an hour hence may be too late. 

KING. (Sinking into chair and dropping his 
head in his hands — in dispair.) For naught! 
Ah! cursed day when I this war declared which 
hath deprived my Kingdom of an heir! 

MASTERCRAFT. {Who has been listening in- 
tently, vehemently to OTTO) Quickly, Otto, 
without an instant's delay — drive with all speed 
to the secret meeting place where my high 
powered car awaits. Here, {writes hastily on 
card) hand this to the man in waiting there; 
thence with all speed to the field hospital and give 
this second note to the surgeon in charge {writes 
on another card) who will attend to the rest. A 
peasant woman was taken with birth pains on the 
roadside as I passed there today; fetch her here 
— never mind her child if indeed it still lives. Do 
you understand? 

OTTO. {Taking up coat and hat in haste) I 
obey! {Exits door right.) 

DOCTOR. He should be back in time — it is the 

11 



best that can be done, {to KING) Your Majes- 
ty, all has been done within the bounds of human 
possibility — we can but wait — it depends upon 
the Chancellor's directions being carried out and, 
— the compliance of the woman. {Observes 
the KING critically and speaks with affection.) 
Come, your Majesty, you have not eaten in 
hours — this will not do — as your physician I de- 
mand that you partake of food. Come! {Leads 
IV ay to door.) 

MASTERCRAFT. With your permission, your 
Majesty, I too, will break fast and otherwise re- 
fresh myself — we may converse at leisure whilst 
we eat. 

KING. By all means — I presume you have not 
tasted food for hours. I will join you at the 
board. 

{MASTERCRAFT follows the DOCTOR, 
both boivirig, out door right.) 

KING, {continuing) Oh God, desert me not 
lest all this bloodshed shall have been in vain. 
{He straightens up with an effort, as though 
pulling himself together.) Remember that you 
are a King! {Exits door right.) 

{As soon as the door closes on the KING, 
CARL comes from between curtains rear and 
advances cautiously to the fire. He pauses and 
then kicks at the logs in the fire viciously,) 

12 



CARL, {soliloquizing) How different he seems 
when quite alone — one would not know he was 
a king. And then he does not seem so set — more 
like one driven by stern necessity, or against his 
will, {pauses reflectively.) So, his sons, too, are 
lost to him, and in this same accursed cause as 
lost me mine. {Pauses and again kicks logs.) The 
Chancellor ! I do believe he is the man — and yet 
all we hear upon the field is ''The King." How 
well I remember at the beginning of the war 
when we passed in review. He w^as there, mounted 
on a coal black stallion. The Chancellor was by 
his side — silent and austere. The King dressed 
in full regalia with medals on his breast until he 
glistened in the sun like a thousand diamonds — 
one could scarce look upon him without being 
blinded. {Sits down in arm chair.) I may as 
well take it easy and get warmed whilst I wait — 
I am nigh chilled through. {Sighs rather con- 
tentedly as the warinth of fire reaches him.) Here 
am I, old Carl, battle scarred and aged, and shab- 
by, sitting at the King's fire — though uninvited, 
God knows. {Pauses reflectively.) Well, well! 
it is a sorry mess — thousands just like me, why, 
I don't even know where my wife Hulda is. Our 
little cottage which I left all shining in the sun ; 
the well kept gardens; the neatly painted fence, 
the stone edged path leading to the vine clad 

13 



porch — all ashes, ruins — blown to the four winds. 
The enemy we set out to crush so bravely within 
thirty days proved foemen more than worthy of 
our steel and turned the tables on us — they have 
driven us back trench by trench, burning and 
sacking as did we upon our mad advance — paid 
us off in our own coin. (A noise is heard beyond 
door right and CARL rises hastily.) Someone 
comes! {Again draws out his bayonette and looks 
at it as if it ivere a living thing.) No, not yet. 
We will wait and see — maybe it will be the 
Chancellor. {Retires behind curtains just in time 
to escape detection by KING and DOCTOR 
who enter from door right together.) 

KING. No, no ! good Doctor ! It is no use — I 
cannot eat; no morsel tempts me and what little 
I do force myself to taste turns gall. We will 
wait here for Mastercraft. Mastercraft! I 
would I had his appetite. Nothing seems to up- 
set his mode of life. He will eat his fill, I ven- 
ture, with as much relish as he used to dine when 
all was peace and we did but plot. 

DOCTOR. I trust you will permit, your Majesty, 
that I now attend the Queen. Mastercraft will 
join you shortly and your good Otto will return 
ere long — he had not very far to go. It is most 
fortunate we are so near a hospital; there is not 
another within miles of that retreat. The peas- 

14 



ant woman's loss may prove to be our gain. 

KING. Go, good Doctor! Mastercraft has 
thought of everything. 

DOCTOR. Your Majesty! {Bows and exits.) 
KING. {Paces up and down the length of roonij 
pausing now and then as he soliloquizes.) I 
know why old Mastercraft insisted that I seek 
seclusion in this far retreat — he feared I would 
relent. After all, who is it that is King? He 
seems to dominate me even in my private life. 
I think he laid a special stress tonight upon the 
efficiency of those factories which build our en- 
gines of destruction, and in the same breath he 
asked, nay, demanded, — further appropriations 
from our depleted purse for their maintenance. 
— Otto told me years ago that he, the cunning 
diplomat, had invested in those same factories 
from his private funds and now I undertsand he 
owns them all, while we support them, {pause) 
And yet I love the man, even while fearing and 
distrusting him. {There is a flutter and slight 
noise behind the curtains. The KING turns 
quickly toward them) Is someone there! — No! 
it is but my imagination — excited from my high 
wrought nerves. Even here, my whereabouts 
kept a secret, I fear and live in dread, my nerves 
on edge until each noise and breath of air are 
multiplied and seem to bode for ill. 

15 



{MASTERCRAFT enters door right smok- 
ing large black cigar.) 

MASTERCRAFT. {to King) I dined quite hear- 
tily and now am fit for further efforts. 

KING, {taking seat before fire) I cannot un- 
derstand, my Chancellor, how through all these 
long and weary months — since we began to fail — 
you have maintained your even poise. I admit 
to you, my friend, that I am all unstrung. 

MASTERCRAFT. {who stands before fire) Par- 
don, your Majesty! We do not fail — and can- 
not. You may rest in prime security while I am 
spokesman and it need not be ever known that 
there ever seemed a doubt. 

KING. But, I fear you do not tell me all — I 
do not know the worst. 

MASTERCRAFT. The worst, your Majesty, is 
that your Highness fears! We have, as might 
well be expected, met with some reverses, but they 
are not really serious, and while the enemy appear 
to gain, they do in fact but draw nearer to our 
trap. All goes well! The munition plants are 
running night and day, full handed — and the men 
on but half pay ; — our hospital service is the best 
it ever has been ; the food supply, while scant, is 
not exhausted and we have some plans that soon, 
we hope, will fill our granaries ; the people, a little 
restive, perhaps, realize the necessities of war and 

16 



have become enured to what at first seemed hard- 
ship. Next month we make our master stroke 
and then our enemies will gladly sue for peace 
upon our terms^ — insuring the fulfillment and 
success of all our dreams and planning. 

KING. But in the meantime thousands starve — 
the women and the little ones, while I — 

MASTERCRAFT. Pardon, your Majesty! but as 
you yourself have just now said, you are unstrung. 
Now we may not turn to blame ourselves where 
no blame is due — this war was thrust upon us, 
that is, it was necessary for the future of our 
State and is no more than that for which we 
planned. Wars bring death and suffering — it al- 
ways has been so and our purpose warrants all it 
costs. And now it will soon end, and in our favor. 

KING. But thousands more will starve and die 
on battlefields meanwhile — it has cost too much 
already. 

MASTERCRAFT. It is for the Empire and — the 
King. 

KING. Aye! the king without a throne — in 
hiding for fear of what? my friend! Wouldst 
guard me against the dangers of the front, or 
from the news, or from my people — those for 
whom I dreamed — or from myself lest, knowing 
all, I weaken and thus fail you? 

MASTERCRAFT. Your Majesty mistakes — it is 

17 



none of those dangers which you but surmise, but 
lest — 

KING, {rises with a hasty and impatient ges- 
ture; draws hifnseif to his full height and speaks 
with hauteur) No more of this quibbling! I will 
talk no more on this unpleasant subject — remem- 
ber, I am King. 

(The door right opens and OTTO enters.) 

OTTO, (bowing) Your Majesty, the woman 
waits, though she seemed so loath to come I was 
obliged to go further than mere urging. Shall I 
lead her to your presence? 

KING. Go bring the doctor to us, if he can be 
spared. 

OTTO. Your Majesty! (exits, bowing.) 

MASTERCRAFT. It will be wcll, your Majesty! 

KING, (to MASTERCRAFT) Do you re- 
main, together with the doctor, when she comes. 
The doctor will tell her of her duties — I of their 
importance. 

(The door opens and OTTO ushers in the 
DOCTOR and stands waiting at attention by 
the door.) 

OTTO. Your Majesty! the doctor Marx ! 

MARX. I understand the woman has been 
fetched, your Majesty! 'Tis none too soon, if 
soon enough. 

18 



OTTO. She Is without, Dr. Marx, will you see 
her here? 

KING. Bring her at once. 

{OTTO bows and withdraws while all stand 
in silence with their faces turned expectantly 
toward the door. OTTO returns in a moment 
and stands aside as HULDA enters and takes 
her stand just within the threshold j surveying the 
group at the fire.) 

MASTERCRAFT. Just Step this Way, woman ! 

DOCTOR, {moving a chair near the fire and ad- 
dressing the KING — HULDA ignoring MAS- 
TERCRAFT) She had best be seated to con- 
serve her strength. 

KING, {kindly, to HULDA) Sit here, good 
woman, by the fire. Dr. Marx has something to 
say to you — please give strict heed. 

HULDA. {She speaks with no show of fear, 
disrespect or embarrassment — merely indifferently 
and as though somewhat dazed. When she enters, 
the curtains in rear move violently and Carl steps 
out, but as all backs are at the moment turned in 
his direction, he is unobserved. He catches him- 
self, smothers an exclamation and hastily retires 
again behind curtains.) I will stand, if you 
please ! 

KING. As you like! 

DOCTOR, {to HULDA) Of necessity I must 
19 



be brief, so please pay strict attention to what I 
have to say. Your countenance betrays that you 
are already aware that you stand in the presence 
of the King and Mastercraft, his Chancellor. I 
am the physician to the King, (pause) We sent 
for you to nurse a new born babe — that it should 
be so is of utmost importance to the crown. Every 
comfort will be provided you. I understand a 
babe was born to you but a few hours since — are 
you prepared to undertake this task ? 

HULDA. My babe! — yes, I had a babe — a man- 
child — a blossom for your cannon, but I had it 
not for long. It died from exposure where we 
lay upon the roadside in the snow. 

DOCTOR. Alas! my good woman, such has been 
the fate of many — but sacrificed to our common 
country's necessities. This babe will bring you 
comfort. 

HULDA. Whose is the babe? 

MASTERCRAFT. {who has been listening intent- 
ly) What matters that? It interests the State 
and — it is your King's command. 

HULDA. I know no more commands but those 
of this poor heart. Whose is the child, if you 
would have my answer ? 

KING. We have not time to waste in argu- 
ment! {to HULDA) Do you 'mean, good 
mother, you would not obey your King if it were 

20 



his command you nurse this babe unless we give 
you knowledge of its birth ? 

HULDA. Just so — even though it were the 
King's command. 

KING. Know it at once then. It is the heir to 
the throne of Usurpia whom you shall suckle at 
those peasant breasts. 

HULDA. Can it be true — before God I ask you? 

KING. Do you question your King? Time 
passes — I speak the truth, — before God ! 

HULDA. Then, thou King of Usurpia, an- 
swer me, a peasant by the grace of God and King 
— where are my two sons, my babe, my husband ? 

MASTERCRAFT. {sternly) Woman, knowest 
thou that men have been condemned to death for 
less impertinence than thou hast shown your 
King? Be quick !(/oZ)OCTO/?) Give her your 
instructions and lead her to the task at once. 

DOCTOR. Not so fast — this, by its nature, must 
be a voluntary undertaking, {to HULDA) 
Come, good woman — don't talk nonsense. It is 
a great honor that has been thrust upon you. 

HULDA. {to DOCTOR) Is it a fact that this 
babe's life depends upon my nursing it, as the 
man who brought me here against my will pre- 
tends, and no other wet nurse nigh? 

DOCTOR. It is a solemn fact. 

HULDA. Then doubly I say no! Even though 

21 



I knew 'twere certain death to it within the hour ! 
My babe perished for want of common covering 
though these full breasts were wont to burst, and 
this poor, aching heart as well from the desire to 
feed my little one. 

KING, {to HULDA — vehemently) You can- 
not know what you say! {to DOCTOR) Is 
she in delerium? 

DOCTOR. No signs of that, your Majesty. You 
must reason with her. 

KING, {to HULDA) Then listen! You com- 
plain of what this war has cost you in common 
with the thousands of other sufferers. Think 
you that your King has quite escaped? I have 
lost my sons as well as you — our Empire lacks 
an heir should this babe die, and then would the 
Usurpian dream fall like powdered snow upon 
the waste — ^scattered to the winds. We fight 
but for a principle, and each in one grand com- 
mon cause has strived to bear his burden; my 
family, my home, no less than all the rest. A babe 
is born — a son — to glorify the name and extend 
the Empire for the use and benefit of thousands 
yet unborn and you have been ordained of God 
to nurture it and continue through your humble 
person that to which the King gave life. It is 
enough I 

MASTERCRAFT. {to HULDA) Besides, the 

22 



reward will be rich — commensurate with the im- 
portance of the task. 

HULDA. Where is my own babe? Can you 
return it to me ? My sons ! My husband ! where 
are they? I gave them all to this cruel war, the 
purposes of which I do not even know, nor do I 
care, but if that babe of yours should through me 
grow up to be a man and foster this same scheme 
of things, I would be cursed and not ordained of 
God. 

KING, {sternly) Remember! I am your King 
and I command! 

DOCTOR. Time presses. 

HULDA. I will none of you! Do with me 
what e'er you like, but for aught of me your babe 
may go to join my own. 

MASTERCRAFT. Would you have your sorrows 
and our losses made in vain ? Can you not under- 
stand that it is Usurpia — your Country — that 
commands of you this service ? Are you in your 
senses and awake? 

HULDA. Awake indeed! Though for years 
I did but dream. I moved with restlessness in 
that dream when my two sons, my first born, 
were torn from my side; when my good man, 
their father and the father of my babe, had been 
lost to me I raised my head and opened wide my 
eyes, and when my babe, the last of all my earthly 

23 



ties folded his little arms in death as he lay 
quiet on this breast, I fully woke — and now I see 
the horror of it all, the uselessness, the cruelty, 
the hell-hoIe you have made of this fair land — 
and now of me, awake and staring horror-stricken, 
you would ask I lend of my own substance to 
enable you to perpetuate the crime. No ! a thou- 
sand times — not though all Usurpia should per- 
ish — it were better so, and quickly, than this out- 
rageous war continue to satisfy your own ambi- 
tion. Let me go, or cast me out, but don't pro- 
fane my motherhood ! 

KING, {to DOCTOR) Can nothing be done 
— she seems beside herself? 

OTTO, (entering uncerimoniously) Oh, Doc- 
tor Marx, hasten — the nurse is urgent. 

DOCTOR, {to KING) Your Majesty must per- 
suade her — it is the only course. {Follows 
OTTO out door right hastily.) 

MASTERCRAFT. {to HULDA) Think, wo- 
man, of the alternative ! 

HULDA. What do you mean by that — but I 
care not. 

MASTERCRAFT. The King will answer. 

KING, {to MASTERCRAFT) This is in- 
deed the battlefield— Ah ! God, that I should have 
been spared to suffer such unutterable anguish! 
{to HULDA) Think again, woman! The 

24 



Queen is a woman, too, with all the mother in- 
stinct like yourself — her sons, like yours, were 
sacrificed to Usurpia. Will you do less than will 
your Queen? Have you no pity on her mother- 
heart ? 

HULDA. A woman! She ! and mother ! Ugh! 
used for breeding purposes to supply God's land 
with slave-drivers! 

MASTERCRAFT. {in great anger) Hold woman! 
Would you insult the King? I will — 

KING, {to MASTERCRAFT) Not so fast— 
I still am King, and this is my affair — no threats 
avail, nor blustering methods, {to HULDA) 
Come, I do not doubt you suffer much — and so 
do we all, all suffer that this righteous war may 
end in glory to our arms and Empire! 

HULDA. What matter whose the glory — so it 
end? {pauses — thinking) So that it end, — ^but 
when — that is the question? Maybe the King 
can answer that ? 

KING. God knows! God knows! 

HULDA. And could you, the King, end the war 
by word or written sign ? 

KING. Aye ! but at the loss of all we have these 
long years striven for. 

HULDA. {seriously and persistently) But 
could you bring it to an end if you so willed — at 
once? 

25 



KING. What are you seeking, woman, answer? 
You put a question that I have heard asked by mj 
inmost soul — and it has tortured me, yet I have 
answered it not. 

MASTERCRAFT. {to KING) I plainly see, your 
Majesty, that you would temporize with this low 
woman. At all events, God's will be done — a 
death's a death, and it is the glory of our arms 
and the advancement of all our arts and sciences 
to all the world for which we fight as well as for 
a crown. 

HULDA. {ignoring MASTERCRAFT) And 
is this power with you alone ? 

KING. My word is law. 

HULDA. {advancing and speaking with great 
force and conviction) Then may your babe be 
saved ! 

KING, {anxiously) Do you relent? 

MASTERCRAFT. {frowning) How so? 

HULDA. The peasant woman will make terms 
— aye, even with a King, {to KING) Send forth 
your messengers with word to stop this bloody 
war — recall your arms — at once, even though it 
may be the ruin of your cause, and no babe ever 
born of woman will be nurtured with more care. 

CARL steps boldly out from behind curtains 
and advances to group. When he is within a few 
paces of them he is noticed.) 

26 



KING. What means this intrusion. Sirrah! 

HULDA. {staring as if she cannot believe her 
eyes) My Carl ! Thank God, it is my Carl — and 
still alive! {she advances to Carl and throws her 
arms around hi?n; they embrace) Thank God! 

MASTERCRAFT. {in rage) Indeed, what means 
this? Who are you that thus intrude upon our 
privacy ? 

KING. He must have come in at yonder vv^in- 
dovv^ — I thought I heard some movement there 
earlier this evening. 

CARL, {to HULDA) Yes, safe and just in 
time! {to KING and MASTERCRAFT after 
disengaging himself from Hulda's embrace) Aye! 
I have been here long enough to know which way 
the wind blows. An old soldier, I — that is, 
what's left of me — and I came unbidden. 

KING. Scoundrel! Have we traitors here? 
Who gave you admittance — speak or 'twill be the 
worse for you. 

CARL. I will speak that you may know had it 
not been for Hulda, there, of whom you have 
sore need, little cause would you have had to 
worry about an heir. That is plain enough. Hid- 
den though you be, I found you out. As to the 
rest, what does it matter? I am here and know 
the business you are at and maybe I can take your 

27 



message to the Minister of War — old Carl knows 
the way fast enough. 

MASTERCRAFT. What do you know — speak! 
Whence did you come and why ? The King com- 
mands you. 

CARL. It is too late to prate of King's com- 
mands — I think the King just now is needy sore 
of aid, as is your sorry army, already mutinous 
though held in check through fear and supersti- 
tion. Not so, old Carl, who fears not God nor 
man, nor King — (looking directly and defiantly 
at MASTERCRAFT) Aye! nor Chancellor. 

KING. We have no time for parley — since he 
is here and in the secret let him stay and, as he 
says, maybe he can serve. God knows we need 
service now since you, {sternly to MASTER- 
CRAFT) sir, have deprived me of my custo- 
mary guards through fear my hiding place should 
become known — I believe that was your excuse. 

HULDA. {to CARL) Did you hear, my Carl, 
the matter we discussed and my proposal ? 

CARL. I did, and right heartily I approve. 

KING, {to HULDA) Are those your only 
terms, my woman — quickly ? 

DOCTOR, {entering door right) There is no 
time to lose, your Majesty. I hope you have bent 
this woman to your will — the future of the Em- 
pire now depends upon it. 

28 



MASTERCRAFT. Not SO, Doctor Marx. The 
future of the Empire, heir or no heir, will be 
safe and we will have no compromise. 

DOCTOR. It is life and death which we con- 
sider now. Your decision, woman, must be 
prompt or it will matter not at all. 

HULDA. I named my terms — the Chancellor 
objects. I am ready only on those terms. 

KING. I am sick, and now that an opportunity 
is offered — with the matter brought home — I am 
not unfriendly to a proposal this good woman 
makes. Woman, I accept your terms — the life 
of my son and heir fostered through you, for 
withdrawal of the troops and this war's end. 

MASTERCRAFT. {raging) I will not have it 
so. Remember, please, your Majesty, who is 
together with yourself responsible. Would you 
go forth into the world again beaten, whipped, 
despised, — all your vaunted boasting shown but 
a bubble to be burst at the first squalling of an in- 
fant! Are you the man who calls himself a 
King and thus lay down your arms to a lowly, 
vagrant peasant woman who — 

KING, {angrily) Enough! You are responsi- 
ble — you misled me from the very start, — I now 
believe to gain your selfish ends — out of my sight ! 
After all, I still am King. {Points the way to the 
door.) 

29 



MASTERCRAFT. {turning to door) Half-wit, 
weakling — you do not think I will permit such 
sickly surrender! I will put a stop to any such 
childish scheme long before you can make up 
your mind — I — {moving to the door.) 

CARL, {drawing bayonette steps quickly be- 
tween MASTERCRAFT and door) Not so 
fast, my Chancellor ! The game is not played out 
until the last card is thrown on the table — you 
have old Carl to reckon with. I think I will re- 
quest you to remain right here until the orders 
are safe delivered to the Minister of War. 

{MASTERCRAFT hesitates, takes step to- 
ward door as though to pass CARL but 
CARL'S determination is evident and MAS- 
TERCRAFT stops,) 

MASTERCRAFT. Has the Empire gone crazy? 
{sneering) We will see who has the last card. 
( Takes seat nonchalantly by fire. Takes out large 
black cigar ivhich he lights from a jeweled match- 
box.) 

DOCTOR. Pardon me, your Majesty, but my in- 
terests revolve around Life and Death. You must 
hasten. While you argue, the Heir — your son — 
totters on the brink. 

{The KING, with the bearing of a man who 
has fir?nly made up his mind, steps quickly to the 
door where he pulls an old-fashioned bell pull, 

3Q 



then takes seat at table and providing himself 
with paper he takes up pen and writes hurriedly. 
As the KING finishes writing OTTO enters 
door right and stands at attention.) 

KING, {rising — to OTTO) Take this note at 
once — ^all possible haste — and deliver it in person 
to the Minister of War! 

OTTO. I understand, your Majesty! 

MASTERCRAFT. {rising — to OTTO) I would 
have a w^ord w^ith you before ( takes a step toward 
door, but CARL with the drawn bayonette still 
in his hand steps in front of him) — 

KING, {interrupting — to OTTO) I forbid 
you converse v^ith the Chancellor, or anyone un- 
til my command has been fulfilled. 

OTTO. I understand, your Majesty! {takes 
paper handed him by KING and places it se- 
curely within his inmost pocket and turns to door). 

CARL. Hold ! not so fast — let's see there is no 
trick — no — 

KING, {drawing himself up haughtily) You 
have my word. — the promise of a King. 

CARL, {looking steadfastly at KING) It is 
enough, your Majesty! {bows profoundly). 

KING, {to OTTO) Begone!— all possible 
haste. 

OTTO. I obey, your Majesty! {exits door right 
followed by DOCTOR). 
31 



KING, (to HULDJ) The mother is victorious. 

MASTERCRAFT. Fools ! 

(The DOCTOR enters door right holding an 
infant wrapped in swaddling clothes in his arms. 
He advances to HULDA and places it gently on 
her breast — she snuggles it to her.) 

DOCTOR, {to HULDA) The future of the 
Empire rests with you! 

HULDA. {Ignoring everybody and holding the 
infant closely) The darh'ng! {She begins croon- 
ing to it.) 

KING. {Advancing to HULDA'S side gazes 
intently down at the infant, then with his hands 
clasped across his breast he turns his eyes heaven- 
ward) At last, Oh God, have I made withThee 
a true alliance. 

MASTERCRAFT. {from chair where he sits sneer- 
ing and glowering while CARL stands guard be- 
side him) Fools! 

{HULDA begins undoing front of dress pre- 
paratory to nursing the infant. She takes the chair 
before the fire just vacated by the KING. The 
DOCTOR stands aside watching HULDA and 
the babe with a professional eye.) 

CARL, (looks happily down at HULDA as 
she draws the babe still closer to her breast — to 
HULDA ) You sit nov7 in a King's place. 

(CURTAIN) 



